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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has recently announced partial relaxations for schools regarding the submission of Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) IDs linked to the List of Candidates (LOC) for Classes 10 and 12 board examinations. The move comes in response to multiple representations from schools highlighting technical and administrative challenges.

About APAAR

APAAR, launched under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aligned with the National Credit and Qualifications Framework (NCrF), aims to assign every student in India a unique 12-digit lifelong academic identity. Key objectives include:

• Consolidation of all academic achievements, such as marksheets, certificates, and co-curricular accomplishments, in a single digital record.
• Facilitating credit transfers, mobility between institutions, and recognition of prior learning.
• Enhancing flexibility in education and supporting seamless integration with the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC).

Integration with Academic Bank of Credits

The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), conceptualized under NEP 2020, serves as a digital repository of students’ academic records, enabling storage, transfer, and redemption of credits across recognized institutions. Integrated with APAAR, it allows students to move between schools and higher education institutions without repeatedly submitting physical certificates, thus promoting educational mobility and continuity.

Challenges in APAAR Implementation

Since its rollout, schools have reported several hurdles in generating APAAR IDs:

• Technical integration issues between school portals and the APAAR system.
• Mismatches between school records and Aadhaar-linked student data.
• Time delays due to correction or updating processes.
• Lack of parental consent, often arising from privacy concerns.

CBSE’s Guidelines and Partial Relaxations

To address these challenges, CBSE has provided the following instructions for schools while submitting LOCs:

• Parental Consent Denial: If APAAR IDs cannot be generated due to refusal of parental consent, schools must retain a copy of the consent refusal and mark the entry in the LOC as “REFUSED”.
• Technical or Other Issues: For IDs that cannot be generated due to technical or administrative reasons, schools should mark the LOC entry as “NOGEN”.
• All Other Cases: Wherever feasible, APAAR IDs should be indicated in the LOC.

CBSE has also activated an online module for Children With Special Needs (CWSN), enabling schools to apply for various examination-related exemptions. Examination forms for private candidates of Classes 10 and 12 have been consolidated along with the LOC submission schedule to ensure clarity and timely compliance.

Support Measures

CBSE has emphasized that these relaxations are intended to ensure smooth and error-free LOC submission within the stipulated timelines. Schools facing further difficulties are advised to reach out to their respective regional CBSE offices for assistance.

Significance

The APAAR initiative represents a key step toward a digital, lifelong academic identity for Indian students, enhancing transparency, mobility, and integration with the Academic Bank of Credits. CBSE’s temporary relaxations reflect a pragmatic approach to smooth implementation while addressing operational challenges faced by schools.